Diagnosing Problems With Your Graphics Card
Graphics cards are essential pieces of hardware for modern computers and are especially vital for activities such as gaming, video or image editing, or otherwise manipulating multiple high-resolution images. When something goes wrong with your graphics card, it can be difficult to determine whether the problem is related to the card itself or a conflict with other components. In this article, we’ll look at some ways you can diagnose problems with your graphics card.
Check Physical Connections
The first place to start when diagnosing a problem with your graphics card is to make sure all of the physical connections are secure and connected properly.
Start by checking the obvious connections, such as the power supply cable, and make sure they are firmly seated in their sockets. Then, check to make sure the monitor cable is plugged into the back of the card, not the motherboard. And, if you’re using a discrete GPU, make sure the interface is securely connected to the motherboard. Once you’ve confirmed these connections, turn on the power and check your system’s display.
Run a Stress Test
If the display appears normal, the next step is to run a stress test to determine if the graphics card is running correctly. A popular tool for this is FurMark, which is a benchmarking program that will put your graphics card under intense load. If your system crashes during the stress test, then this indicates there could be a problem with the card itself.
Inspect the Case
If the stress test didn’t reveal any problems, then inspect the case around the graphics card. Look for any signs of overheating, such as discoloration on the plastic or damaged components. This could indicate a heatsink issue that needs to be addressed. Additionally, check to see if the fan is spinning properly, and make sure all the vents are clear and unobstructed.
Examine Device Manager
The next step is to examine your Device Manager. If a problem is present with your graphics card, it’ll usually appear here. To access your Device Manager, go to your computer’s Settings > System > Device Manager. Look for any entries that have yellow exclamation marks or “unknown device” messages. If any appear, right click and select Update Driver. This may help to resolve the issue.
Check the Graphics Card Manufacturer’s Website
Once your device manager has been checked and you still can’t determine the cause of the issue, it’s time to go to the manufacturer’s website. Many graphics card manufacturers provide software tools that allow you to scan your system for driver updates and potential hardware problems. Nvidia and AMD both offer excellent software like this, and Intel has built-in tools. Using these tools can help you identify any potential problems with your graphics card.
Check the BIOS
Finally, you can also look at your BIOS to make sure it’s configured correctly. To access your BIOS settings, restart your computer and press the delete key while the system is booting up. Once in your BIOS settings, look for a section called “PCI Express” and make sure your graphics card is enabled. Additionally, make sure any relevant settings are set to their default values, especially if you recently changed them.
Conclusion
By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to diagnose any potential problems with your graphics card. If these steps don’t solve the issue, the best course of action is to take the card to a qualified technician.